VARDAN OSKANIAN: THE DOCUMENT ON THE SETTLEMENT OF THE CONFLICT IS VERY BALANCED

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
April 20 2007

"Great majority of the principles for the settlement of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict have been agreed," Armenian Foreign Minister
Vardan Oskanian stated in a press conference.

He stated that his latest statement "the parties have never been
so close to the solution of the conflict" should be assessed in the
context of comparison.

"I compare this document to all the previous ones that have ever been
presented by the co-chairs in the past 10-12 years, and this document
content-wise is very balanced and very reasonable," he said. "And
that is why I think this document should provide a promise for making
further progress in our talks."

Oskanian made his comments after meeting his Azerbaijani counterpart,
Elmar Mammadyarov, and the Minsk Group co-chairs in Belgrade.

Oskanian said the meeting focused on suggestions the co-chairs had to
resolve outstanding differences between the Armenian and Azerbaijani
side.

Oskanian described the meeting as "constructive" and "businesslike."

He added it was "much more relaxed and well-intended" than a similar
meeting in Geneva.

"Sometimes, me or Elmar Mammadyarov state that we cannot present the
suggestions to the heads of state. But now the suggestions can be
presented to the presidents," Oskanian said.

The Armenian minister added the next meeting between the foreign
ministers has not been scheduled.

"The co-chairs are much likely to meet with the foreign ministers
by the parliamentary elections. They most probably visit the region
after the elections to discuss the proposals in detail," he said.